I read a fascinating book this past week called "A Long Way Gone" written by Ishmael Beah. Ishmael is a former child soldier from Sierra Leone who was rehabilitated and came to live in America where he finished high-school, graduated from college, and authored a best-selling memoir of his time as a child soldier that has currently sold over 700,000 copies and grossed over $1,000,000.
It is a fascinating story - well-written, extremely descriptive (and quite graphic at points as he describes the violence he was a part of), and overall hard to put down. Unfortunately, the historic accuracy and therefore the overall truthfulness of his account has been called into question by an Australian reporter named Peter Wilson over the last couple of years.
I will let you decide for yourself whether you believe Ishmael is telling/recalling the truth or whether Peter Wilson has uncovered a partially fraudulent account (read Peter's criticism here and Ishmael's statement in response here). Regardless, the story has done a lot of good as far as bringing the whole issue of child soldiers to the forefront of the public's mind. The kind of stuff that he describes in his book DOES happen - the question is whether it all happened to him.
Read the book - then let me know what you think.
I am presently reading this book and I am a very slow reader but am finding it facinating how he survived and does so well.
Posted by: Alexis | December 08, 2008 at 11:25 AM
I finished reading this book about a week ago, so I was interested to see the two links you included. I am choosing to believe what Mr. Beah wrote in his book.
I think his story needed to be told. Praying for all regions on earth that are in the midst of such unthinkable conflict.
Posted by: JD | November 16, 2008 at 10:08 AM
I haven't heard of this one, but I'm currently reading "What is the What" by Dave Eggers. It's also about child soldiers, but the guy is from Sudan. I'm enjoying it so far.
Posted by: cheri | October 31, 2008 at 12:16 PM